Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

My dad and mom want to give me their home. When my mom dies, Medicare will take the home, so they want to give it to me, but continue to live in it until they die. It is worth about $100,000, I think. My wife and I have three kids (two are under 18).

Can they do this? What are the tax ramifications? I think they can give each of us a $13,000 interest in the house apiece this year and next, right?


Asked on 11/16/09, 1:06 am

3 Answers from Attorneys

Lyle Johnson Bedi and Johnson Attorneys at Law

The facts in your question suggest that there are at least two areas of concern. The first is will the transfer be set aside as a fraudulent transfer. That is a transfer that is made for less than full value. for the purpose of preventing a creditor from collecting a debt.

The other problem is two fold. First the potential tax consequences. The second is that unless it is properly done your parents will lose control of their home and could be removed from it. This has occurred in the best of families.

Read more
Answered on 11/21/09, 1:56 am

Mr. Johnson's answer is correct. I would add that you have capital gains tax issues, and worst of all, if your parents have a mortgage, it could become immediately due and payable in full if they transfer any or all of their ownership of the property.

Read more
Answered on 11/21/09, 2:11 am
Bryan Whipple Bryan R. R. Whipple, Attorney at Law

I agree with both prior answers. Fraudulent transfers are easily discovered by creditors, and outfits like Medi-Cal are always on the lookout. The plan simply won't work, and if the transfer were made, both the parents and the kids would be implicated in the fraud and liable for damages. Suggested reading: California's Uniform Frandulent Transfer Act, found at Civil Code sections 3439 thru 3439.12.

Read more
Answered on 11/21/09, 1:07 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Real Estate and Real Property questions and answers in California